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112 there was a general alarm sent out for him he felt positive.

Something in Mary's manner, as she opened the door in response to his ring, told him there was trouble in the house. The girl's eyes showed she had been crying.

"Oh, Master Ned!" she exclaimed as he entered. "Isn't it awful! To think of the trouble!"

"Why, how did you hear?" asked the boy, wondering if in the parlor there was an officer to arrest him.

"Why, 'twas a message we got, to be sure."

"Then the postoffice authorities sent a letter here?" asked Ned, somewhat relieved to find he would not have to break to his aunt what he believed would be terrible news.

"No, dear," Mrs. Kenfield called down from the head of the stairs. "It wasn't a letter from the postoffice, it was a telegram. I have received bad news."

"Oh, aunt, it wasn't my fault at all!" burst out Ned. "I didn't know about it, or I'd never have come to New York."

"Of course it isn't your fault," his aunt said. "How could you know about it when I only got the telegram myself a little while ago? As for